Did the mechanic grease the moving components? Specifically the cup and the bushing?  If not the shifting will be quite hard.  Use synthetic grease.
Z
 

    On Saturday, April 7, 2018, 1:56:45 PM MDT, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:  
 
 hi all,

I have the rear shift linkage replaced by a mechanic on my '88 Carat..it
was sloppy and I can't find the 2nd...

the rear shift linkage was replaced, it's working well but  now it's very
stiff... it requires quite more effort to move the shifter than before...
the mechanic says it's normal and I don't believe so.. it was effortless
and move easily before ...

note: the front linkage is almost new... replaced about 3000 miles

anyone knows what happened... is anything I could do to make it better?

thanks a lot...

dan